Records: Suspect in PV killings told friend what he did

The man police say brutally murdered a Paradise Valley couple in their home and set their house ablaze told a friend about what he did, according to court documents released Friday.

The Arizona Republic and 12 News challenged the Maricopa County Attorney's Office decision to seal the documents. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Douglas Rayes agreed Friday to release redacted documents. Paradise Valley police also on Friday released the name of a sixth suspect in the case.

According to heavily redacted court documents, Michael Lee Crane, 31, confided in Kelly Ann Steward, 29, that he set fire to the Shapiros' home, 5601 N. Delos Circle, to cover up the evidence. He then stole their Jaguar to get away, the documents state.

Steward is among the people who have been arrested in connection with the case.

The vehicle was found torched Jan. 30, near Seventh Street and Union Hills Drive, before Paradise Valley police discovered the bound and burned bodies of Glenna and Lawrence Shapiro, both in their 70s. The couple had been shot to death, police said.

Crane is facing two counts of first-degree murder, along with kidnapping, arson and armed robbery charges. He is in a Maricopa County jail on a $3 million bond.

Five others, including Steward, have been arrested in connection with the Shapiros' murder, but none on murder or arson counts.

The latest arrest happened Thursday. Paradise Valley police said Katherine Adele Austin, 25, of Peoria, was arrested on suspicion of hindering prosecution in connection with the Shapiros' death.

Austin appears to be connected to a suspected burglary ring in northeast Phoenix.

According to her public Facebook profile, on Jan. 8, Austin posted: "Everyone who cares or knows Jeff Adkins please help with his $30,000 bond! He has to get out. I love you Jeff."

On Jan. 5, Phoenix police arrested Jeffery Adkins, 28, and Jason Loftis, 39, in connection with at least 170 burglaries in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Police watched as Loftis kicked in the front door to a northeast Phoenix home and both Adkins and Loftis ran into the home and burglarized it. They were arrested after they went into a gold resale shop to sell the items, police said.

In 2004, Austin was charged on suspicion of forging a stolen check and trying to cash it at a check-cashing service, according to court documents. After evading arrest, she was pulled over in 2005, where police found methamphetamine hidden in her shorts, documents state. Austin pleaded guilty on a felony count of forgery and criminal possession of a forgery device, court documents said.

According to the court documents released Friday, various jewelry and other items were taken from the Shapiros' home and on Jan. 30 and 31, Crane took some of the stolen items to Steward.

Shawn Eric Nicloy, 29, who was arrested for trafficking stolen property, said he met up with Crane and divided the Shapiros' stolen property, according to the documents.

Danielle Elaine Rossman, 26, told police that Crane went to her house with some of the Shapiros' stolen items and she sold some of them and eventually disposed of the rest of the items after the murders received heavy media attention, according to the documents.

Brittany Beinhauer, Crane's girlfriend, who police say is connected to the Shapiros' slaying, also was arrested for theft.

Authorities said they are investigating a link involving the suspects and the death of Bruce Gaudet, a cigar salesman who was found dead inside his burning Phoenix home just days before the Shapiros were killed.

Beinhauer, 27, was arrested in Mesa on Feb. 2. Police found a wallet with credit cards and Gaudet's identification in Beinhauer's black suitcase, court documents state. She faces two theft charges. She is suspected of stealing from Gaudet.

Police have not revealed any more details about how the cases may be connected. However, the arrest of another woman in western Arizona was tied to Gaudet's death. Maricela Sanchez, 27, was arrested on Jan. 26 driving Gaudet's vehicle -- the same day he was found dead.